Famed participatory journalist George Plimpton (1927–2003) was a writer, editor, amateur sportsman, actor, and friend to many. THIRTEEN’s American Masters series showcases his remarkable life in Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself, premiering nationally Friday, May 16, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). The documentary is both a chronicle of one of the last century’s most intriguing characters, as well as a cinematic adaption of his nuanced and funny literary style. Using Plimpton’s own narration, new interviews with friends, family and contemporaries, and extensive archival material, the film creates a compelling portrait of a one-of-a-kind person who lived fully, strangely and incredibly. Plimpton co-founded and worked as the editor of influential literary magazine The Paris Review for 50 years (1953-2003). The Paris Review and Plimpton’s widow Sarah Dudley Plimpton, granted filmmakers Tom Bean and Luke Poling full access to George’s private archives, including previously unseen material.

Aside from his work at The Paris Review, Plimpton wrote for Sports Illustrated; hung out with U.S. Presidents and was part of the Kennedys’ inner circle; played quarterback for the Detroit Lions; got Willie Mays to pop out in Yankee Stadium; photographed Playboy models; played goalie for the Boston Bruins; performed with the New York Philharmonic; boxed against light-heavyweight champion Archie Moore; acted alongside John Wayne, Warren Beatty and Matt Damon; and authored more than 15 books, including Out of My League (1961), Paper Lion (1966) and TheBogey Man (1967). Some of Plimpton’s DIY journalism stunts were turned into primetime network television films, including his circus flying trapeze act, African wildlife photography for Life magazine, and attempt at stand-up comedy.

Sharing these experiences and more, American Masters:Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself is about football, literature, magazines, fireworks, hockey, movies, presidents, lawn chairs, geniuses, and the true tall tale that brought them all together. Featured interviews include Robert Kennedy, Jr.; Hugh Hefner; Gay Talese; Graydon Carter; Ken Burns; Ric Burns; James Lipton; The Paris Review co-founder and childhood friend Peter Matthiessen; Sports Illustrated Media Group editorand The Paris Review board member Terry McDonell; former The Paris Review editor and founder/editor of The New York Review of Books Robert Silvers; novelists James Salter and Jay McInerney; his widow Sarah; children Medora and Taylor; siblings Oakes and Sarah Gay; and first wife Freddy Plimpton.

“George’s life was about seeking out and trying new things, regardless of the outcome. And as an artist, his life was his greatest work of art,” said co-director, co-writer and co-producer Tom Bean. “We hope Plimpton! inspires audiences to find that adventurous spirit within themselves and the desire to live life to the fullest.”

“For the uninitiated, we hope our introduction makes new audiences fall in love with George Plimpton. For the people who knew and read him, we hope our movie brings him and his joie de vivre back for 90 minutes,” added co-director, co-writer and co-producer Luke Poling (Twelve).

“George Plimpton was a deft curator of the literary elite via The Paris Review, the cultural elite via his storied parties and, above all, the human experience,” said Stephen Segaller, executive-in-charge of American Masters and vice president of programming for WNET. “Who’d have thought a man nicknamed ‘Mr. Zero’ would also be called an ‘American Master’?”

Launched in 1986 by series creator Susan Lacy, American Masters has earned 26 Emmy Awards — including nine for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series since 1999 and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special — 12 Peabodys, an Oscar, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, and many other honors. Now in its 28th season on PBS, the series is a production of THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC for WNET. WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York’s public television stations, and operator of NJTV. For more than 50 years, THIRTEEN has been a partner with the tri-state community, using its rich resources to inform and inspire the passionate people ofNew York and the world to better understand and address the issues that challenge our diverse communities.

To take American Masters beyond the television broadcast and further explore the themes, stories and personalities of masters past and present, the companion website (http://pbs.org/americanmasters) offers streaming video of select films, interviews, photos, outtakes, essays, and other resources. American Masters is also seen on the WORLD channel, a 24/7, full-service multicast channel featuring public television’s signature nonfiction documentary, science and news programming, broadcast in nearly two-thirds of the United States.

Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himselfis a production of Laemmle / Zeller Films in association with Joyce Entertainment and The Offices of SPECTRE. Tom Bean and Luke Poling are directors, writers and producers. Terry McDonnell and Adam Roffman are producers. Casey Brooks and Maya Hawke are editors with visual effects by Brian McGee and a score by Mark De Gli Antoni. Dennis Joyce, Phyllis Alexander, Kris Meyer, Antonio Weiss, Susannah Weiss, William R. Hearst III, Toby Barlow, and Bill Deacon are executive producers. For American Masters: Susan Lacy is executive producer. Stephen Segaller is executive-in-charge.

American Masters is made possible by the support of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding for American Masters is provided by Rosalind P. Walter, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Rolf and Elizabeth Rosenthal, Jack Rudin, Vital Projects Fund, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, Michael & Helen Schaffer Foundation, and public television viewers. Funding for Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself is provided by Lynn & Rod Poling, Sandra Gotham Meehan and Michael Meehan, David Baldwin, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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About WNET

As New York’s flagship public media provider and the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to more than 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJTV News with Mike Schneider and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore iPad App where users can stream PBS content for free.

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George Plimpton photographing birds in Africa, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Freddy Plimpton

George Plimpton (bottow left) and Truman Capote (sitting far left on couch) at a cocktail party in Plimpton’s apartment, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Cornell Capa/Laemmle Zeller Films

George Plimpton watches the America’s Cup races with President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, 1962, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Laemmle Zeller Films

George Plimpton practicing with the Boston Bruins, 1977, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated/Laemmle Zeller Films

Young George Plimpton sitting, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Bill Kilborn

George Plimpton reading at home with the "The Paris Review" poster, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Freddy Plimpton

Young George Plimpton reading in pith helmet, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton with first wife Freddy Plimpton, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton and daughter Medora Plimpton, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton and Ernest Hemingway bullfighting, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton in gondola, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton dressed as a ship's captain, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton on "Lawrence of Arabia" set, 1961, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

Teenage George Plimpton, shirtless, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

Young George Plimpton on a park bench, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

Young George Plimpton writing, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

Young George Plimpton, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

Young George Plimpton, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton fighting with Archie Moore, New York, 1959, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton fighting with Archie Moore, New York, 1959, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton post fight with Archie Moore, New York, 1959, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton with Robert Silvers, former editor of the "The Paris Review," founder and editor of "The New York Review of Books," and Sadruddin Aga Khan, the first publisher of "The Paris Review," as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Plimpton Estate

George Plimpton playing with the Boston Celtics, Atlanta, 1969, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Dick Raphael/Sports Illustrated

George Plimpton playing with the Detroit Lions, Detroit, 1963, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Walter Iooss/Sports Illustrated

George Plimpton at 40th anniversary of the Detroit Lions "Paper Lion" game, 2003, as seen in “American Masters: Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself.” Photo Credit: Tom Albert Photography